Salmon and steelhead are icons of the Pacific Northwest – important to both the region’s culture and economy. Yet many runs in the Columbia River Basin are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Hydroelectric dams that harness the Columbia and Snake Rivers for power production are the biggest killers of these fish and threaten other fish and wildlife. By striking a balance between dams, energy and salmon, we can enjoy clean energy, wild salmon, and healthy fish and wildlife populations.
I-1631, the clean air and clean energy measure, is critical for addressing climate change. Yet, a lot of loud voices are claiming the proposed carbon fee on fossil fuel polluters won’t do have much effect and costs will be passed through to customers. But, if they believe that, then why are the polluters — big […]
Reliable and affordable clean energy options that help restore salmon and protect the environment. The study was undertaken to investigate the technical feasibility and cost of replacing the four Lower Snake River Dams with a portfolio of clean and renewable resources that support a reliable and adequate regional power system while minimizing increases to greenhouse gas emissions.
(The following opinion piece by NW Energy Coalition executive director, Nancy Hirsh, was published in the April 21, 2018 edition of the Tri-City Herald.) The NW Energy Coalition has released a new study demonstrating that the ongoing decline in the cost of new wind and solar energy can not only contribute to a cleaner environment, […]
In addition to the good news that energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental programs avoided cuts and, in many cases, received budget increases in the spending bill signed by President Trump today, there is more good news. Congress increased by $250 million funding for LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and increased the […]
Yesterday, the Bonneville Power Administration released its 2018-2023 Strategic Plan that lays out the agency’s goals as it works to adapt to an increasingly complex and competitive electricity market. The NW Energy Coalition congratulates BPA for establishing four important overarching goals in the new 5-year plan. They are: Strengthening financial health Modernizing system assets and […]
SEATTLE, WA – Washington Governor Jay Inslee has proposed SB 6203, a carbon pricing bill that, if enacted, will over time reduce the state’s dependence on polluting fossil fuels, accelerate the transition to clean and affordable renewable resources, stimulate the state’s already growing clean energy economy, and help ensure that the benefits of the transition […]
Idaho Statesman reporter, Rocky Barker’s latest installment examining the struggle to restore salmon and steelhead populations on the Snake and Columbia rivers. You might also enjoy Rocky’s earlier installments, which follow. The public paid $14 million for an Idaho hatchery — and all its fish have been dying Only 157 endangered Snake River sockeye salmon […]
Spencer Reeder, the executive in charge of climate and energy programs at Vulcan, Inc., will deliver the keynote speech at the NW Energy Coalition Clean & Affordable Energy Conference on November 2nd at the Seattle Hilton. Reeder will explore how innovation in all its forms – technological, organizational, social, and political – is shaping the […]
“Everything we’re doing to replace vanishing salmon might be killing them off faster” In this installment in his series of the challenge of restoring fish populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers, Idaho Statesman reporter, Rocky Barker, explores the many ways in which the US Army Corps of Engineers has tried to bring salmon back. […]
“Remove 4 dams, leave these fish alone, and they may be able to replenish themselves” Idaho Statesman reporter, Rocky Barker, continues his series on the question of how salmon and steelhead populations can be restored and the energy generation, economic, cultural, and agricultural implications of various proposed solutions, including the removal of the four lower […]
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